I am looking to plant a couple of food plots. I would like to know what kind of plant I should put in, that deer will still be attracted too in Nov. These plots will in Central Illinois. Do you plat these plots in July?
Into November you will want to plant some kind of Brassicas. This includes things such as turnips, rape, kale and rutabagas. Brassicas really do not become attractive to deer until after the first good frost which is when the sugars move into their tops and deer become attracted to them. Almost every plot seed manufacturer has a brassica mix. I'm in SE Minnesot and planteds tunrips for the first time last year. The package told me to plant them in early August which i did but they did not have enough time to mature before the growing season stopped. But, being you arein central Illinois, the first of August may work just about right for you. Be sure to do yourself a favor and get a soil test done, lime accordingly, and fertilize if needed. It really does make a world of difference in the success of your plot.
Planting times are a little different depending on the region, but winter wheat, oats, and brassicas are good for November and often beyond. Many cool season species become highly attractive after 1st frost, because they "sweeten". Imperial Wintergreens is an example. It is a brassicas blend that is made specifically for late season. Brassicas are one of the most drought resistant type of plants, and produce a lot of tonnage... so as long as you plant before a good rain you should be good (assuming your soil's PH is good). Around here we plant for fall in late August to mid September, but like I said this may be different for you, but prob not much. I just got back from the farm preparing a seed bed that I'll plant in late August/early September. Clover/alfalfa in the spring...Brassicas and oats/winter wheat in the fall. Good luck to you
They really liked the Winter Wheat and the Turnips/Brassicas at my place last year. They would come out and head straight for the wheat, munch there a while and then hit the turnips.
Pretty much what has been said here. Depending on your seasons, and when each plant will recieve its first frost in accordance to your seasons, a Brassica or winter wheat is a great option. I actually planted one of my main plots two seasons ago with turnips. We planted in early August right before a nice rain (and also right after there was still adequate moisture in the ground previously during planting). The deer NAILED these, but well after December. I expected it to happen earlier, but I think the fact that we had a bumper crop of acorns that year, the deer were just holding tight to the woods. Anyways, last season, we planted the same plot with clover/rye in May. Then went around and tilled 4-5 rows on the outside in August, and planted winter wheat. That winter wheat was pounded from November all the way through February. They were pawing through 6+ inches of snow to get at the stuff. For your area, I would say planting around the same time frame as we have to in PA would be fine (early to mid August following rain, and preceding a rain fall).
I have tried most of the Imperial and Biologic products over the last 10 yrs. or so with mediocre success. I did not have any problems with the seeds coming up just that the deer never really hit them that hard. The last 3-4 yrs. I have been going to my local seed store and buying winter oats and Austrian winter peas. MUCH MUCH cheaper (oats around $12 a bushel and peas around $20) than the "hunting" products and I am seeing more activity in the plots. A buddy of mine has planted September peas a few times and had the deer eat those to the ground. I usually plant in late Aug or early Sept. I gave up on spring and summer plots a few years ago...always too dry and they died out.
